GEORGIA THREE KEYS
1. EXCELLING AT QUARTERBACK
Georgia's success at quarterback under Mark Richt has gone a long way toward Richt's 136-48 record with the Bulldogs, but there has never been more uncertainty surrounding the position. Not only did this month begin with redshirt junior Faton Bauta, redshirt sophomore Brice Ramsey and Virginia transfer Greyson Lambert rotating among the first, second and third teams, but they are doing so under new position coach and coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, who has succeeded Mike Bobo. Bulldogs fans didn't agree with all of Bobo's play calls, especially last year at South Carolina, but the new head coach at Colorado State was instrumental in establishing Georgia's quarterback assembly line. David Greene, Matthew Stafford and Aaron Murray each produced multiple 10-win seasons before getting drafted, and Hutson Mason threw 21 touchdowns and only four interceptions last season despite limitations in arm strength. If Mason's successor can be equally effective, the Bulldogs could be in for a really big year.
2. STOPPING THE RUN
The Bulldogs made a lot of improvements last year in Jeremy Pruitt's first season as defensive coordinator, but stopping the run wasn't one of them. Georgia went from allowing 148 rushing yards a game in Todd Grantham's final season in 2013 to yielding 167 last year, with Florida pounding out a stunning 418 yards and Georgia Tech netting 399. The Bulldogs were sensational in the 37-14 win over Louisville in the Belk Bowl, holding the Cardinals to 62 yards on the ground, and stopping the run has been a focus of the offseason for players such as outside linebacker and pass-rushing menace Lorenzo Carter. Georgia returns Sterling Bailey, John Atkins, James DeLoach and Josh Dawson on the defensive front, and the signing of defensive tackle Trenton Thompson, the nation's top-rated prospect, could assist the run-defense efforts as well. If the Bulldogs can improve there the way they improved in every other defensive aspect last season - they were a plus-16 in turnover ratio - their unit will rank among the Southeastern Conference's best.
3. COMBATING THE WEST
Forgive Richt for tiring on the subject of the SEC West's domination. Georgia swept Arkansas and Auburn last season, with the Razorbacks being the fifth consecutive rotating West foe that the Bulldogs have topped (Ole Miss and Mississippi State in 2011, Ole Miss in 2012 and LSU in 2013). Georgia also has won seven of its last nine games against Auburn, with the two wins by the Tigers (2010 and '13) helping them get to the BCS championship games. The Bulldogs may have caught scheduling breaks within the league in 2011 and '12, but this year they face Alabama and Auburn, the two highest-ranked SEC teams in the USA Today and AP preseason polls. Georgia has not been swept by the Crimson Tide and Tigers since 1995 and swept the pair in 2002, '03 and '07. Splitting those games this season could have Georgia in a good position come November, and should the Bulldogs win the Eastern Division, they could see Alabama or Auburn for a second time in the SEC title game at the Georgia Dome.